Simple addition of silica to an alkane solution of a Wilkinson WMe6 or Schrock W alkylidyne complex gives an active complex for saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon metathesis

Abstract

The addition of partially dehydroxylated silica (PDS) to a solution of the Wilkinson WMe₆ as well as the Schrock W neopentylidyne tris neopentyl complex catalyzes linear or cyclic alkanes to produce respectively a distribution of linear alkanes from methane up to triacontane or a mixture of cyclic and macrocyclic hydrocarbons. This single catalytic system transforms also linear α-olefins into higher and lower homologues via an isomerization/metathesis mechanism (ISOMET). This complex is also efficient towards functionalized olefins. Unsaturated fatty acid esters (FAEs) are converted into diesters corresponding to self-metathesis products.